building up the temple - junior powerpoints · the bible lesson at a glance the israelites begin to...

The Bible Lesson at a GlanceThe Israelites begin to rebuild the Temple. Satan stirs up the people around Jerusalem, who try to stop them. God sends two prophets, Haggai and Zech ariah, to encourage and work with the people.

At first the people of God are discouraged, but with God’s help they persevere. They complete the rebuilding and ded-icate the Temple.

This is a lesson about worship.We thank God today that He is with us in times of discour-agement as well as in times of joy. Difficulties and discour-agement are not excuses to stop worshipping God. We worship God through the difficulties, praising Him for the solution that will surely come.

Teacher Enrichment“Close by the Israelites who had set themselves to the task of rebuilding the Temple, dwelt the Samaritans, a mixed race that had sprung up through the intermarriage of hea-then colonists from the provinces of Assyria with the rem-nant of the ten tribes which had been left in Samaria and Galilee. In later years the Samaritans claimed to worship the true God, but in heart and practice they were idolaters. . . .

“During the period of the restoration, these Samaritans” “expressed a desire to unite with [the Israelites] in [the Temple’s] erection. . . . But had the Jewish leaders accepted this offer of assistance, they would have opened a door for the entrance of idolatry” (Prophets and Kings, pp. 567, 568).

“As the people endeavored to do their part, and sought for a renewal of God’s grace in heart and life, message after message was given them through Haggai and Zechariah, with assurances that their faith would be richly rewarded and that the Word of God concerning the future glory of the Temple whose walls they were rearing would not fail” (ibid., p. 577).

What is most discouraging to me today? How has this situa-tion affected my reliance on God? What choices can I make to worship even when I am discouraged?

9Building Up the TempleWorship

We worship God, whose presence changes us.

YEA

R B

| Q

UA

RTER

4POWER TEXT

“Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work” (1 Chronicles 28:10).

KEY REFERENCES

� Ezra 4-6 � Prophets and Kings, chap. 46, pp.

567-581 � The Bible Story (1994), vol. 6, pp.

89-99 � student story on page 102 of this

guide.

OUR BELIEFS

� No. 12, The Church � No. 8, The Great Controversy � No. 17, Spiritual Gifts and Ministries

OBJECTIVES

The students will: � Know that they can trust that God

is with them even when they are discouraged.

� Feel like praising God for always being with them.

� Respond by persevering in God’s strength in times of discouragement.

We can

worship

God even

when we are

discouraged.

POWERPOINT

94

PPLTG_text_B4_2017.indd 94 1/3/17 6:37 PM

9595

9Building Up the Temple Program notes

L E S S O N S E C T I O N M I N U T E S A C T I V I T I E S M AT E R I A L S N E E D E D

Welcome Ongoing Greet students at the door. Ask about their week.Review previous lesson and segue into this week’s lesson.

Readiness 10-15 A. Empty Lives (p. 96) small empty box, newspaper, wrapping paper, ribbons, tape

B. Builders (p. 96) construction materials, scissors, glue and/or tape, paper

Prayer and Praise

15-20 (p. 97) songbooks, world map, pushpins, offering plate/basket, paper, pencils

Bible Lesson

15-20 Introducing the Bible Story (p. 98) three copies of Net Kids script (p. 148)

Experiencing the Story (p. 98) Bibles, props (optional)

Exploring the Bible (p. 99) Bibles

Applying the Lesson

10-15 Silent Challenge (p. 99)

Sharing the Lesson

10-15 Encourage One Another (p. 100) chalkboard or whiteboard and writing utensils, art supplies (optional)

Closing A. Prayer and Closing Comments (p. 100)

B. Reminder to Parents (p. 100)

C. Coming Up Next Week (p. 100)

1

*

*2

34

»

WelcomeWelcome students at the door

and ask about their week. Debrief them on the previous lesson. Then ask students to share a few things they have learned from the current lesson prior to Sabbath School.

Ask: What was the most inter-esting part of the Bible story for you? What activity did you ap-preciate most? Why?

Transition into the Readiness Activity of your choice.


R E A D I N E S S A C T I V I T I E S1

Select the activity or activities that are most appropriate for your situation.

LESSON 9

Empty LivesBeforehand, fill a small box with wad-ded newspaper and then gift-wrap it. Then wrap it again with newspaper. Continue alternating as many layers of newspaper and gift wrap as you are able or as many as there are students in your class. Wrap the final layer in attractive colored or wrapping paper.

Say: I have a present for the class this morning. Pass the box to one of the students to open. Allow them to open only one layer. Then pass it on to another and another until they have reached the crumpled newspaper inside the box. Wait a few minutes until the students realize that the box is empty. Listen quietly to their reaction and their disappoint-ment.

DebriefingAsk: What were you feeling when you started opening the wrap? (happy; expectant; curious) How did your feel-ings change when you found there was nothing in the box? (disappointed) How is that like life? (empty; disap-pointing) Let’s say together the power text, 1 Chronicles 28:10:

”Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work” (1 Chronicles 28:10).

Say: We all get discouraged at times, we all feel as though life has not been fair, but as the power point reminds us:

We can worship God even when we are discouraged.

BuildersHave available various materials that could be used to construct a table-top building, such as miniature marsh-mallows and toothpicks, thick pretzels and glue, or any combination of the following: blocks, clay, twigs, stones, glue, paper, cardboard, scissors, tape, popsi-cle/craft sticks.

Say: First Corinthians 3:9 says, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (NKJV). How do you understand this? Using the materi-als provided, take a couple minutes to construct God’s building as you can picture it.

DebriefingAsk: How does your building look compared to another in the class? When we are working on a project, how does our mood affect the outcome?

How easy is it to accomplish a goal or to worship God when we feel discouraged? Let’s say together the power text, 1 Chronicles 28:10:


Say: We all get discouraged at times, we all feel as though life has not been fair, but as the power point reminds us:


B YOU NEED:

�� building materials (see activity)

�� scissors�� glue and/or tape�� paper

96

A YOU NEED:

�� small empty box�� newspaper�� gift wrapping paper�� ribbons�� cellophane tape


R E A D I N E S S A C T I V I T I E S

Prayer and Praise*

97

YOU NEED:

�� offering plate/basket

FellowshipAllow students to report things that they are pleased or troubled about. Acknowledge any birthdays, spe-cial events, or achievements. Give a special, warm greeting to all visitors. Get contact information from the adult who brought them to church. Early in the following week, send a postcard or e-mail letting the visitors know how much you enjoyed having them in your class and that you would like to see them again.

Suggested Songs“Unto Thee, O Lord” (He Is Our Song, no. 102)“Spirit Song” (He Is Our Song, no. 72)“Freedom” (Praise Time, no. 65)“Be Thou My Vision” (The SDA Hymnal, no. 547)

MissionUse Adventist Mission for youth and adults (go to www.junior powerpoints.org and click on MISSION) or another mission report available to you. Using a world map, have the students identify and mark with pushpins the location where the mission story is taking place.

OfferingSay: Each week when we bring our offerings, the money goes throughout the world to share the good news of Jesus’ gift with others who may be sad and dis-couraged.

PrayerSay: Write something on your paper that you know causes some kids to become discour-aged. It may be something that you are experi-encing or something that a friend might be going through. Collect all the papers, then redistribute them at random. Tell the students that this is a sacred time and you want complete silence, even if they get their own paper back. If the class is large, divide it into groups of two or three students. You begin and end the prayer. Have the students close their eyes and each pray a short prayer about the prayer requests. Close with a prayer for the students’ joys and sorrows, for the birthday and other special event celebrants, as well as for the visitors.

Notes

YOU NEED:

�� world map�� pushpins

YOU NEED:

�� paper�� pencils


2B I B L E L E S S O N

LESSON 9

Introducing the Bible StoryThe Net Kids (Refer to Lesson 1 for background and setup information.)

Make the appropriate number of copies of the Net Kids script found on page 148 of this guide. Distribute to the students you have selected as early as possible. Allow prac-tice time before using this activity.

Present the skit.

Debriefing:Ask: What rumors have been spread about you? How did that feel?

Say: Be very careful that you don’t spread or believe rumors about others. This can be very hurtful. Our lesson shows how rumors stopped the people from building the Temple for a long time. But as the power point reminds us:


Experiencing the Story Divide the class into three groups. Assign Ezra 4 to group one, Ezra 5 to group two, and Ezra 6 to group three. Within their groups they should read the chapters and then report in their own words to the whole class what went on to discourage the Israelites from building. (Optional: This could be done in the form of a skit, story, song, or role play using whatever props are available.)

DebriefingAsk: What did the people do who tried to discourage the Israelites? (They were sneaky; they paid people to scare them into not building; they had had nothing to do with the Israelites or the Temple building before complaining about them; they lied about the Israelites being a threat to the king and the country.) How did Artaxerxes handle their complaints? (He didn’t investigate thoroughly; he listened to the words of the complainers, and the work stopped.) How did Darius handle the complaints? (He found the original document; he told the complainers to stay away from the building site; he told them to pay the Israelites expenses from the treasury and give the Israelites whatever they needed; he threatened death to anyone who changed his orders.) What can we learn from this about handling complainers? (Trust God; neither believe nor spread rumors; keep believing in our mission; listen and then search diligently for all the facts; seek the help of those in power.)

YOU NEED:

�� Bibles�� props (optional)

YOU NEED:

�� three copies of Net Kids script (p. 148)

98


99

B I B L E L E S S O N

Exploring the BibleAsk: Can you think of anyone in the Bible who was discouraged? (Jonah, Job, David, Jesus, Paul) How did they get over their discouragement?

Say: Let’s read about how they did it. Have the students locate and read: Job 42:2 (by deciding to trust in God); Jonah 2:1-10 (through prayer—however, point out that Jonah got discouraged again after he did what he was supposed to do [some people may never learn]); Psalm 51 (through repentance and confession [verses 10-13 could be sung]); Philippians 4:4-7, 11-13 (through rejoicing/praising God in all circumstances; realizing that we can do everything God asks us to do in His strength). Say: Let’s say together the power text, 1 Chronicles 28:10:


Say: In spite of discouraging situations, the power point reminds us that


Silent ChallengeHave students pair up and hold their partner’s hand, then all stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a circle holding hands only with their partners. (This is best when circles are formed with groups of eight to 10.)

With their free hand each student reaches into the center of the circle and grasps another free hand. To untangle the resulting “knot,” the leader breaks up one of the original pairs, taking one person by the hand and leading the person slowly away. Without letting go of hands, the persons in the circle follow in the order they are linked until another com-plete circle is achieved. This should be done without talking.

DebriefingAsk: How did you feel when you were trying to untan-gle yourselves and weren’t able to talk? (frustrated) Did knowing you couldn’t talk make it harder? (yes; no; some-what) In what ways? (It seemed like it would take forever; it is no fun if you can’t talk.) How was this exercise like what the Temple builders went through? How was it like being discouraged? (Accept reasonable answers.) Say: God has given us promises and stories in the Bible to encourage us in dark times. Like the Temple builders:


(Small church option: invite an adult class to join you for the activity. Let the adults tell about ways that they have overcome discouragement.)

3A P P LY I N G T H E L E S S O N

YOU NEED:

�� Bibles


LESSON 9

Encourage One AnotherHave students share if they encouraged someone who was discouraged and disappointed. Ask: How did you expe-rience God’s leading in times of dis-couragement? What message of encouragement did you share with someone? Did you share how God helped you in the past? Did anyone share Bible promises? What was the response of the person you encouraged? Say: We have learned today how easy it is to become discouraged in life. Think of an encouraging phrase to give to someone who is discouraged. I’ll give you a few minutes to think, and then we’ll write them on the board. (Examples: You can do all things through Christ. Nothing is impossible with God. Is anything too hard for the Lord? The joy of the Lord is your strength.) A volunteer scribe can write the responses where all can see.

Say: You may want to write some of these in your Bible study journal so you can share them. Find one person with whom you can share your encouraging phrase.

Option: Say: Write one of the above messages on a bumper

sticker, card, or poster; decorate it and present it to someone you know who may be feeling discouraged.

Repeat with the students once again the power point:


S H A R I N G T H E L E S S O N4 Closing*

Prayer and closing comments:Praise and thank God for bringing us through times of discouragement.

Reminder to parents:Say: Check out the student Bible study guide to find Parents’ Pages for your use in family worship, or however you wish to use them to spiritually guide your children. You may listen to the podcast of the lesson online at www.juniorpowerpoints.org/podcast.php?channel =1.

Coming up next week:Say: Joseph risks taking Mary as his wife. God’s grace saves the world.

YOU NEED:

�� chalk and chalkboard OR large paper and marker

�� art supplies (optional)

100


102

LESSON 9

Has anyone ever slowed you down when you were excited about a project? How did you handle that person? To learn more about how the Israelites responded to challenges during the time the Temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem, read this Bible story.

The foundation of the temple had been laid, so the building of the Temple could now begin.

A group of people who had returned from the captivity dedicated them-selves to building the Temple. Nearby lived the Samaritans, a mixed race of people that resulted from marriages between the heathen nations from Assyria and the remnant tribes of Samaria and Galilee. They came to Zerubbabel, and the heads of the fa-thers’ houses, and offered to help build the Temple along with the Israelites. “Let us build with you,” they said, “for we seek your God as you do” (Ezra 4:2, NKJV). But Zerubbabel and the rest of the leaders of Israel said, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us” (verse 3). They sensed the Samaritans’ insincerity and didn’t want to partner with a group of people who still wor-shipped idols.

The Samaritans had lived there a long time, and felt that the country belonged to them. They thought the Jews would try to take over the land. So the Samaritans tried to discourage the Jews and troubled them as they built. They “hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all

the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia” (verse 5).

The Samaritans wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes, accusing the Jews of build-ing a rebellious and evil city. “Let it now be known to the king that, if this city is built and the walls completed, they will not pay tax, tribute, or custom, and the king’s treasury will be diminished,” they wrote. “We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are com-pleted, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River” (verses 13, 16).

The king replied, “Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me” (verse 21). As a result, the work on the house of God was halted until the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia (see verse 24).

Meanwhile, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. Then Zerubbabel decided to start building the house of God, and the prophets of God were with him, encouraging him (see Ezra 5:2). At the same time Tattenai, the governor, came to them and said, “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?” (verse 3). But God blessed the Israelites, and they did not quit until a report could be sent to Darius, inquir-ing about whether they had permis-sion to keep building. After searching the king’s records, Darius sent back the following message:

“Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and

Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there. Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site. Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered” (Ezra 6:6-8, NKJV).

Soon the time came when the Jews finished building the Temple! The elders of the Jews built, and they prospered as the prophets Haggai and Zechariah had prophesied. “They built and finished it, according to the com-mandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia” (verse 14).

After the Temple was completed, the people dedicated it to God. They cel-ebrated the Passover with those who separated themselves in order to serve the Lord God of Israel. The Israelites kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with gladness because the Lord was with them. They recognized that God had changed the heart of the Assyrian king toward them for the better. With grateful hearts the people acknowl-edged that it was the God of Israel who made their work to prosper and who helped them complete the building of the Temple (see verse 22).

Building Up the TempleStudent lesson


DO

LEARN

READ

LEARN

THINK

PRAY

READ

THINK

REVIEW

PRAY

READ

FIND

THINK

NOTE

REVIEW

PRAY

READ

THINK

REMEMBER

REVIEW

PRAY

READ

THINK

PLAN

REVIEW

PRAY

READ

REFLECT

CREATE

REPEAT

PRAY

KEY REFERENCES

� Ezra 4-6 � Prophets and Kings, chap. 46, pp.

567-581 � The Bible Story (1994), vol. 6, pp.

89-99 � Our Beliefs, nos. 12, 8, 17

POWER TEXT

“ Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work” (1 Chronicles 28:10).

POWER POINT


103


building up the temple - junior powerpoints · the bible lesson at a glance the israelites begin to...

Documents